A Taiwanese tourist reported to be kidnapped in Malaysia was found alive in southern Philippines. Her kidnappers were unidentified, but she was abducted in the area where Abu Sayyaf gunmen are known for their kidnapping engagement. The Abu Sayyaf had held a Jordanian reporter Bakr Atyani (shown in the picture, left) hostage for 18 months. Photo: AFP

A Taiwanese tourist whose husband was reported killed by gunmen in a kidnapping at a Malaysian island resort has been found alive in the southern Philippines.

Chang An Wei, 58, also known as Evelyn Chang, was found by Philippine marines at a village near Talipao, a town on the remote island of Jolo where Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants are known to operate, military officials said.

"She is in good condition," said local marine brigade commander Colonel Jose Cenabre.

The woman was taken to a military hospital for a medical check-up in the town of Jolo, the capital of Jolo island, Cenabre added.

He said the identities of the kidnappers were unknown, though Abu Sayyaf gunmen who are known to carry out kidnappings operate in the area.

Press reports in Malaysia and Taiwan said the woman and her husband were holidaying on Pom Pom island in Sabah state, which is near the Sulu island group that includes Jolo, when gunmen attacked on November 15.

The reports said the gunmen killed the husband and abducted the wife.

A Jordanian television reporter, Bakr Atyani, walked free from a Jolo jungle earlier this month, 18 months after he was abducted by the Islamist militants.

The Abu Sayyaf is a small Islamist movement that has been blamed for a string of terrorist attacks and kidnappings of foreigners in the Philippines. It was originally founded with seed money from al-Qaeda.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Abducted tourist found alive on southern island